The Air Line in the back...?

[Scarab0088]

I have a '07 Damon on a Workhorse chassis (8.1L Gas) bought used last year.

It is obvious (I think) that the previous owner flat towed something, but I have no way of knowing his set-up because the Rig was a Dealer Sale that came from auction...and the dealer did not have any details on the previous owner.

And, I have a tow dolly. I know---there's a whole lot of threads about flat-tow vs. dolly, but I like to sometimes pick from different Toads, so it's a dolly for me.

I was going to go to the local RV specialist for advice, but decided to start here first.

My questions are about an air-line that exits at the rear end of the coach. Air flows from the line when the brakes are engaged...so I bet it was for on-board brakes in the Toad(?).
I have capped the air line because it was not properly capped when I took possession - capping the line did not impact the coach braking.

The air line runs up to a complicated valve/pump looking component mounted above the rear axle.

So, does anyone know what system might have used this set-up?

Does anyone know if there's a long term problem in capping the line.

Does anyone have an opinion about if I should remove the system if I do not intend to use it?

Does anyone know anything about it that I don't know to ask?

Thanks

[Mr_D]

Sounds like a RoadMaster Brakemaster setup. Includes an air compressor that activates the brakes on the toad. You don't need it for a dolly. I'd unhook the electrical connection to the brakes and either take it out if you need the storage room or leave it in case you decide to tow four down.

[jcc1983]

Sounds like you only have air brakes? if this is the case the only thing on the coach should be a airline and a single monitor wire. is there a red light on the dash of the coach?

if so you have whats called a air to air brakemaster. and if this is the case you can just cap it off or take it to a service shop and have them put the plug back in where they Teed into the air brakes. Now some coaches have air over hydralic if this is what you have there will be a regulator that has airline coming from it and it will be blue if it is of roadmaster brand you can cap this off as well.

[Scarab0088]

Originally Posted by jcc1983

Sounds like you only have air brakes? is there a red light on the dash of the coach?

Now some coaches have air over hydralic if this is what you have there will be a regulator that has airline coming from it and it will be blue if it is of roadmaster brand you can cap this off as well.

Thanks for the initial feedback... I am going to give it a closer look to see if there is a Roadmaster lable on the pump/valve thingie.

I believe the Workhorse front engine gas (like mine) is usually Air over Hydraulic.

This additional air system I'm asking about is connected to the coach at the rear axle, but the plumbing (air lines and electrical wires) is too complicated for me to easily decide what is OEM vs. aftermarket.

Any other ideas/experiences are welcome.

[Gary RVRoamer]

There are several toad brake systems that use air, even though a coach like yours has hydraulic brakes. The coach has a air compressor installed to provide the air for the brake, and the air is triggered by a hydraulic pressure sensor mounted in the rear brake lines.

The two most likely systems that you may have are:
M&G Brake
Brakemaster (by Roadmaster)

[BeltoneMagoo]

Air Force 1 or Stay N Play???
Good luck and safe travels!

[Vegasdan]

You do not! have air brakes. You have the Roadmaster Brakemaster with the separate compressor. I'd leave it in place just in case you decide to flat tow in the future. If you are going to dolly for now make sure you choose a toad that is compatable for dollying, ie a front wheel drive.

[Scarab0088]

So, here's what it the pump/valve thing looks like - there's no obvious lables that show the source.

There's a hydraulic brake line tapped into the MH that is connected to the top, hot and ground for 12VDC, and 2 air lines - 1 goes to the rear bumper, the other goes forward to the main air compressor at the front of the chassis..




Thoughts?

[Theberrys]

Look at page 15 of this document http://www.roadmasterinc.com/pdf/85-1991-10.pdf this looks a lot like a
BrakeMaster 9060 system. I'd leave it in, this could make your coach more attractive to buyers in the future.

Dick

[paz]

Originally Posted by Scarab0088

Thanks for the initial feedback... I am going to give it a closer look to see if there is a Roadmaster lable on the pump/valve thingie.

I believe the Workhorse front engine gas (like mine) is usually Air over Hydraulic.

This additional air system I'm asking about is connected to the coach at the rear axle, but the plumbing (air lines and electrical wires) is too complicated for me to easily decide what is OEM vs. aftermarket.

Any other ideas/experiences are welcome.

Vegasdan is right. Your coach does not have air brakes. All Workhorse gas chassis are strictly hydraulic brakes. W20 and W22 chassis have Bosch brakes, and W24s have Arvin Meritor brakes.

As several others have suggested, what you see above the rear axle is part of an aftermarket toad brake system. Several have suggested Roadmaster. Roadmaster usually puts their owners manuals online. Check the Roadmaster website.

P.S. Since we're on the subject of Workhorse brakes, Workhorse had a recall for their W20 and W22 chassis Bosch brakes. The brake pistons would bind and cause the brakes to drag and overheat. If you're unfamiliar with the recall, there is a "sticky" at the top of the Workhorse Owners Forum down the main page that will give you details.

[Theberrys]

Here is a link to the resource center if you need it.
Brake Recall Resource Center
Dick

[Scarab0088]

A picture is worth a 1000 words! Many thanks folks.

I was told the W22 has Air-over-Hydraulic brakes...and I believed it, because of a compressor that starts running anytime we start after a long shut-down.

But, from the Roadmaster manual, the model 9060 proportioning valve above the rear axle looks like a prefect match -AND- I believe the model 9060 air compressor shown on page 1 is what is running on start-up.

I will for sure, leave the equipment installed. It probably isn't too cheap to buy and install. Again, many thanks for your expertise.

BTW - The rear calipers are clearly marked MERITOR. Does that mean the chassis may be a W24 vs. W22? Any Idea how can that be checked?

[paz]

Originally Posted by Scarab0088

...BTW - The rear calipers are clearly marked MERITOR. Does that mean the chassis may be a W24 vs. W22? Any Idea how can that be checked?

If the 6th digit of the chassis VIN (all Workhorse motorhome chassis VINs starts with 5B4) is "6" you have a W22. If it is "A" you have a W24.

The chart below is for Workhorse chassis starting in 2009, but I think the only thing that changed is the year numbering sequence (10th digit). Most, if not all, the other digits remain the same.

[Scarab0088]

Originally Posted by paz

If the 6th digit of the chassis VIN (all Workhorse motorhome chassis VINs starts with 5B4) is "6" you have a W22. If it is "A" you have a W24.

The chart below...

Paz and everyone else...MANY THANKS!!!

I wish tha every user on every thread would take lessons from you folks with the great attachments and accurate facts. You are the BEST!!